Building the "K-Quad"

[DWiskow]

Here is an example of "Stock" Turnigy Plush ESC's vs "BLheli" flashed ones . . .

http://youtu.be/s7QtKuwRD0g
. . . this appears pretty extreme, as it looks like the MultiWii has default settings and hasn't been tuned, but it does illustrate the difference.

So, in the hunt for tuning perfection, flash BLheli (or SimonK) and keep on improving.

[DWiskow]

The latest version of BLheli (v11.2) can be obtained here http://www.helifreak.com/blog.php?b=2001. This provides a link to a page where you can download "BLheli-Setup11200.7z" (a highly compressed Zip file type) which can be expanded and unzipped using 7-Zip (http://www.7-zip.org) . . . and lots of other links to forums and materials related to BLheli.

The download contains everything needed to flash BLheli to SIL ESC's, including documentation on how to connect to each of the supported ESC's, manuals for programming the ESC from your TX once it has been flashed, all of the "hex" files for the different ESC's and code for various Arduino types (to act as a programmer, if you don't have a ToolStick).

If using the Hobbyking Toolstick (linked to in my earlier post), it is simply a matter of connecting the Toolstick to the relevant pads on the ESC, plugging the Toolstick into your windows PC (no driver required), navigating to the "BLheli-Setup11200" directory and executing "BLheliSetup.exe" and then powering up the ESC (this can either be from a normal LiPo or more safely a 9v PP3 standard battery),

For clarity, the sequence for connecting your ESC for flashing is;

• First connect the ESC to the Toolstick;
• Then connect the Toolstick to a free USB port on your PC;
• Launch BLHeli Setup;
• And lastly connect a battery to the ESC.

Click on the "connect" button and the "flash" button should become active once the connection is established . . . then click on the "flash" button and select your ESC model (remember to always choose type "multi" when flashing your ESC for use in a multi copter) and your ESC will be flashed with BLheli firmware in only a few seconds. If you get an error when connecting, it will be because you have got your connections the wrong way round, or you have shorted out the pads on the ESC, or you are not "cleanly" connected to the pads . . . don't worry just check the connections and try again, you will quickly develop the knack.

Once flashed with BLheli firmware, you will also be able configure various parameters for your ESC . . . remembering that all ESC's on your multi copter must be programmed identically . . . Most likely you will want to leave all of the defaults (that were set when the firmware was flashed) alone, except for throttle MIN and MAX that you should set appropriately for your TX/RX.

[DWiskow]

BLHeli-Setup carries all original Firmware files for any supported BESC on board (since rev 2.4), so no other downloads are needed to easily "switch" between different firmware revisions.

Different types of Interfaces for flashing/programming BLHeli are supported by BLHeli-Setup.

1. All Silabs Toolstick based solutions:

• modified Silabs ToolstickBA (Base Adapter)
• Silabs ToolstickBA + ToolstickDA (Debug Adapter)
• USB Debug Adapter for C8051Fxxx MCUs
• HAWK STICK (Silabs USB Debug Adapter clone)
• Oversky "Flash stick tool" available at several shops. (Silabs USB Debug Adapter clone)

2. Toolstick substitute solutions with code for AVR ATMega/Arduino Boards:

A Plain ATMega8 chip (8 Mhz internal clock) with RS232 connection (USB/Serial converter). No additional components needed, cheap, straightforward. If a bootloader is present on the Arduino, BLHeli-Setup can flash a new firmware over USB without the use of the ISP Interface.

Several Arduino Boards (e.g. Arduino Uno) are supported with

• ATMega 168/328P 16Mhz or 8Mhz
• TMega 1280/2560 16Mhz

Extremely easy to flash and handle with BLHeli-Setup. Flashing will be done with the help of Avrdude. The Arduino Bootloader will stay fully intact!

More information on which pins to use to connect an Arduino to the target ESC are provided within the download.

[DWiskow]

One thing did trip me up . . . I just couldn't get the throttle range working properly, which left me with motors that wouldn't spin at all . . . the answer was simple once I figured it out.

Using BLheli-setup;

• switch off "Programming by TX;"
• manually set "PPM Min Throttle" (e.g. 1.100ms) and "PPM Max Throttle" (e.q. 1.900ms);
• make sure you don't set "PPM Min Throttle" below that of your TX/Flight Controller output !

The first and last of these are really important, for a while I thought I may have damaged my speed controller, as I was constantly experiencing random throttle ranges (because they were being 'randomly' set by throttle input at each power on) and frequently static motors (because the "Min" was set below that which the TX/Flight Controller were putting out).

Apparently, there is a quite sophisticated method of setting the Governor Target Speed for helicopters at each power on . . . with "Programming by TX" set, this routine was effectively setting Throttle Range (Min/Max) based on TX Throttle inputs at each power on.

When it is set correctly (as above) you should hear three tones "da da da" followed by a gap then a "low" tone and finally a gap and a "high" tone at startup . . .

[Dizzy]

Thank you Neil

She arrived this morning and been approved by Sindy the pup,  nicely packaged and well presented

thanks again just the china train to wait for now :D


dizzy :D

[krikey]

Glad it arrived safely Diz. Looking forward to seeing it flying and any feedback is welcome :)

[Sommie1974]

Anyone got a link to these multistar motirs please?

Does the Turnigy 1811 3800kv fit right on the frame.

Fancy this as an fpv quad

Thanks

[CurryKitten]

Anyone got a link to these multistar motirs please?

Does the Turnigy 1811 3800kv fit right on the frame.

Fancy this as an fpv quad

Thanks

The 1811s can fit directly to the frame, but after some issues with the motors, I'm not sure I can recommend them.  When they work perfectly they are great, but mine have seemed to degrade quickly. I've got the RCX motors, but yet to try them.

[Sommie1974]

Thanks curry. You got a link to the motors? They fit straight on? Do you use the turnigy esc's 10amp?

Thanks mate

[CurryKitten]

We're trying these

http://www.myrcmart.com/rcx-1804-2400kv-micro-outrunner-brushless-motor-clockwise-p-6281.html

Part of the reason I haven't tried yet is that they don't fit on, so you need an adapter of some sort or possibly krikeys v2 legs.  I'm using the Turnigy 10a ESCs yes.

Sort of in limbo at the moment, I should get some more bits from Neil on Saturday so can eventually try it all out

[Sommie1974]

So that link you sent the motors don't fit?

I have used the turnigy motors you mentioned in the past and didn't like them. That's why I was asking.

Wonder wot other motors people have had success with.

Thanks

[CurryKitten]

That's correct, they don't fit the original arms.  Dizzy has constructed nice mounts for hers, and krikey has duplicated this idea, but also has a new arm idea which looks like it might fit a lot of different motors.

Check ut krikeys thread in the manufacturers section to get an idea of what other motors people have tried and what fits/doesn't

[Sommie1974]

Cheers curry I will do

[Dizzy]

Just to let you know becouse i didn't Banggood are selling the little motors i have used :D
both left and right rotation too :D
http://www.banggood.com/-X-Power-1804-2400KV-Micro-Integration-Outrunner-Brushless-Motor-p-923424.html

free postage :D

dizzy :)

[Dizzy]

http://www.banggood.com/-X-Power-1804-2400KV-Micro-Integration-Outrunner-Brushless-Motor-p-923424.html

dizzy :+ see why now  ;)